Hybrid all-terrain, four-wheel drive vehicle with two cylinder engine

Abstract

A v-twin motorcycle engine, 100 to 140 cubic inches (1600 cc to 2300 cc) is mounted longitudinally in a tubular chassis behind dual seats. A chain drive is mounted to the crankshaft that further drives a clutch device. A transmission/transfer unit is mounted in front of and below the engine and receives a clutch output shaft. The transfer case has two output drive shafts, one to a front differential and the other to a rear differential located under the engine. The differentials each have two shafts that drive the four wheels. The wheels have disk brakes and typical independent suspension for driven wheels of such types of vehicles. The present invention provides an off road, sports utility vehicle having the power between an ATV and a 4 cylinder (VW) engine. Further an adjustable engine mount allows for the selection of different engines.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A hybrid all-terrain, four-wheel drive vehicle comprising:
 a tubular chassis comprising:
 a main chassis with an upper main frame member, and a lower main frame member,
 a front chassis section with an upper and lower front chassis frame members, and 
 a rear chassis section with an upper and lower rear chassis frame members, 
 a front suspension connected to said upper and said lower front chassis frame members, and 
 strengthening members therebetween said upper main frame member, said lower main frame member, said upper and said lower front chassis frame members, and said upper and said lower rear chassis frame members; 
 
 
 a roll cage, said roll cage integrally attached to said upper main frame member of said tubular chassis; 
 a pair of seats mounted to said tubular chassis; 
 a motor mount, said motor mount attached to a rear of said tubular chassis in said rear chassis section; 
 a two-cylinder engine, said engine having a displacement from about 100 to about 150 cubic inches, with a horse power from about 100 to about 175, said engine mounted to said motor mount behind said main chassis section and in said rear chassis section; 
 a drive train, said drive train connected to said engine, said drive train coupled to two front wheels and two rear wheels of said four-wheel vehicle, said drive train comprising:
 a chain drive, said chain drive connected to said engine; 
 a clutch, said clutch connected to said chain drive; 
 a transmission, said transmission mounted to said lower main frame member of said main chassis in a position in between said seats, said transmission connected to said clutch; 
 a transfer case, said transfer case mounted to said transmission, said transfer case being connected to said transmission, said transfer case having two output drive shafts; 
 a rear differential, said rear differential mounted in said rear chassis section with independent suspensions, said rear differential receiving one of the output drive shafts from said transfer case, and having two rear wheel drive shafts to said two rear wheels; and 
 a front differential, said front differential mounted in said front chassis section, said front differential receiving the other output drive shaft from said transfer case, and having two wheel drive shafts to two front wheels. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The hybrid all-terrain, four-wheel drive vehicle as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said engine is a V-twin engine. 
     
     
       3. The hybrid all-terrain, four-wheel drive vehicle as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said V-twin engine is mounted horizontally to a vehicle axis. 
     
     
       4. The hybrid all-terrain, four-wheel drive vehicle as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said transmission is a five speed automatic transmission. 
     
     
       5. The hybrid all-terrain, four-wheel drive vehicle as recited in  claim 2 , wherein said V-twin engine is a 45 degree V-twin engine, air cooled, four valves with push rods, and electric start. 
     
     
       6. The hybrid all-terrain, four-wheel drive vehicle as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said tubular chassis and said roll cage are composed of high strength chromoly steel tubing being TIG welded at joints. 
     
     
       7. The hybrid all-terrain, four-wheel drive vehicle as recited in  claim 6 , wherein said tubing is approximately 1.5 inches in diameter. 
     
     
       8. The hybrid all-terrain, four-wheel drive vehicle as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said main chassis has said upper main frame member and said lower main frame member being essentially similar in shape and size. 
     
     
       9. The hybrid all-terrain, four-wheel drive vehicle as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said upper and said lower main frame members of said main chassis have rounded rear corners, and have truncated front corners for tire clearance. 
     
     
       10. The hybrid all-terrain, four-wheel drive vehicle as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said strengthening members between said lower main frame member and said upper main frame member comprise vertical members and diagonal truss members jointed integrally thereto. 
     
     
       11. The hybrid all-terrain, four-wheel drive vehicle as recited in  claim 10 , wherein said vertical members are located at least at joints being shared with said roll cage. 
     
     
       12. The hybrid all-terrain, four-wheel drive vehicle as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said roll cage comprise:
 a pair of main roll bars attached to a top of said upper frame member at a front position and rising up to a level section; 
 a pair of main support roll bars attached at each rear end of the level section and to a rear of said upper frame member; 
 a pair of horizontal support members attached at the ends of the level section, one end being at a position approximately where the main roll bar turns downward to the front; 
 a pair of front truss supports, one end attached to the main support roll bar, another end attached to said upper main frame member in proximity to a front corner of said upper main frame member; and 
 a pair of rear truss supports attached to the ends of the level section and another end attached to said upper frame in the rear chassis section, 
 wherein said roll cage provides an inner box of safety to a driver and a passenger. 
 
     
     
       13. The hybrid all-terrain, four-wheel drive vehicle as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said front chassis section comprises:
 an upper U-frame member, 
 a lower U-frame member, and 
 strengthening members therebetween. 
 
     
     
       14. The hybrid all-terrain, four-wheel drive vehicle as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said transfer case has a low and high selectable range settings. 
     
     
       15. The hybrid all-terrain, four-wheel drive vehicle as recited in  claim 1 , further including disc brakes on all of the wheels. 
     
     
       16. The hybrid all-terrain, four-wheel drive vehicle as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said vehicle has the approximate dimensions of being 11 feet long, 8 feet width, and 5 feet high, and has a dry weight of about 1,200 pounds.